Mixed plaque on coronary CT angiography predicts atherosclerotic events in asymptomatic intermediate-risk individuals.

Objective: Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) permits both qualitative and quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic plaque and may be a suitable risk modifier in assessing patients at intermediate risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the association of plaque components with long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in asymptomatic intermediate-risk patients, compared with conventional coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.

Methods: 100 intermediate-risk patients underwent double-blinded CCTA.

Dedicated Next Day Discharge Post Minimalist TAVI: The Tasmanian Experience.

Objectives: To assess the safety, feasibility and independent predictors of next day discharge (NDD) in patients undergoing minimalist transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) in a real-world Australian population.

Methods: This single centre study reviewed 135 consecutive patients who underwent minimalist transfemoral TAVI from June 2020 to February 2022. Baseline demographics, procedural characteristic and outcomes were obtained.

Chest keloids: effect of surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy on recurrence, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Chest keloids are a difficult sub-group of scars to treat, likely secondary to the high wound tension in the area that promotes excessive fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition. Excision and adjuvant radiotherapy has been demonstrated as an efficacious treatment for keloids in general, but no meta-analysis exists to support the claims for chest keloids. This study aims to identify the rate of recurrence after surgical resection and radiotherapy on patients with chest keloids.

Activity of Inflammatory Bowel Disease After Liver Transplantation for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Predicts Poorer Clinical Outcomes.

Background: The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity on long-term outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is unknown. We examined the impact of post-LT IBD activity on clinically significant outcomes.

Methods: One hundred twelve patients undergoing LT for PSC from 2 centers were studied for a median of 7 years.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis in the Australian regional population.

Objective: To compare clinical and functional outcomes of regional and urban patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis.

Methods: Data were collected at patient follow-up post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation at 30 days and 12 months. Patients were stratified by residential postcodes into remoteness areas using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard.

Outcomes of incidental findings on multi-detector computed tomography for transcatheter aortic valve implantation assessment: A single-centre study and review of the literature.

Introduction: Patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) require multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) when considered for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Incidental findings on MDCT are common given the age group and region imaged. Our aim was to evaluate the frequency and outcome of incidental findings (IF) identified on MDCT and the impact on survival.

Higher long-term adherence to statins in rural patients at high atherosclerotic risk.

Background: Rural patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experience greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than their urban counterparts. Statin therapy is a key component of ASCVD treatment. The extent to which there may be regional differences in long-term adherence to statins is unknown.